angryhearts | SO RESTED HE BY THE TUMTUM TREE

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SO RESTED HE BY THE TUMTUM TREE —

AND STOOD AWHILE IN THOUGHT

What an unfortunate time to be short-staffed, when there's so much to do! For days, staff members can be seen bustling about, always on the move. No time to stop and talk — the Queen is preparing a surprise! Staff members seem to positively hum with excitement. Their numbers are replenished in fits and bursts. Groups of new hotel staff appear all at once, until there seems to be even more of them than there were before the disappearances.

They don't seem to understand who you're talking about, if you ask about those disappearances. "Staff turnover happens in every establishment, dear. Why — they might have even gotten a promotion!" Aren't you much more interested in the upcoming trip, anyway?

Now that there are more of them, staff members are eager to expand on the surprise. Oh, to see the gardens and the forest! You Oysters are so fortunate that the Queen wishes to show you the wonders of Wonderland. Of course, the forest can be dangerous — or is it only rumors? The opinion seems to change with every staff member you talk to, and no one can pin down why it might be dangerous. The only consensus seems to be to stay close to your escorts.

And most importantly: please remember the buddy system at all times.

BUDDY SYSTEM
07/11 - 07/12

At some point during all the preparation, Oysters may find themselves pulled in by another person. Physically pulled in, in some cases. Once this initial draw happens, the pair will be unable to stay very far away from each other.

When asked, staff members will reply that the two have been paired up for the upcoming trip! They are quite serious about the buddy system, you see. Going out into the forest alone is never a wise idea, and the Queen is so very concerned about your safety.

What's that? You don't trust, or even know, the person you've been paired with? It's a good thing you two will be spending so much time together, then, isn't it? Plenty of opportunity to learn to understand each other.

Shouldn't you be packing, anyway? You'll be leaving soon, after all!

THE QUEEN'S GARDEN
07/13 - 07/14

The garden itself is beautiful and spans multiple acres. There is a winding path lined with neatly manicured rose bushes in all colors, groves of fruit trees, wildflower patches where the air is heavy with bread and butter flies. Elaborate water fountains and delicate streams flow between small ponds, each bordered by different types of water plants and filled with everything ranging from goldfish to koi. Bright, sunny spots perfect for a picnic are easy to come by, as are quiet nooks tucked away in the shade.

Everything needed for a rousing game of croquet is set up in a relatively clear area of the garden. Participation in a good, friendly game of Oysters versus their staff escorts is encouraged — all in good fun, of course! Croquet is the traditional game of the royal family, after all.

As afternoon begins to wind into evening on the first day, Oysters are ushered towards a part of the garden that contains a large hedge maze. The group is kept together as they wind through the maze. The staff members who lead them clearly seem to know exactly where they're going, and never hesitate at the many different forks in the maze.

Before the sun has set, they will arrive in a large clearing in the middle of the maze, where a great feast has been set up with the food they helped to prepare over the last few days. Oysters are informed that this is the last time on the trip that their meals will be taken care of for them. Enjoy it! Once they're out into the forest proper, they will have to make use of the Wonderland information pamphlets and their camping skills.

It is in this same clearing that they will stay the night. For this first night, staff members will assist in setting up tents if needed.

THE TULGEY WOOD AND RUINS
07/14 - 07/18

The next day comes with more bright sunlight, at first. As the group continues through the second half of the maze, the foliage above grows thicker and the inside grows darker. Astute Oysters may notice that the make up of their staff escorts seems to have shifted overnight. The members of the hotel staff that were so excited and helpful in the garden are few and far between, replaced by those in dark suits, all with some form of club pattern on them.

It's the Order of Clubs, the few remaining hotel staff will say when asked. They are protectors, enforcers — and the forest is dangerous. The Queen is so considerate of their safety, to bring the Order out now.

The end of the maze comes relatively quickly. It opens out onto an expansive forest, but even here the sunlight does not return in full force. Whether it's the density of the branches, the overcast day, or the wisps of fog that drift through the trees, the light overhead is weak and the air chilled.

The last of the hotel staff remain in the maze. From here on out, Oysters are accompanied only by the Order. As they walk through the forest, a member of the Order seems ever present — there's always one within eyesight, if not within hearing distance. Occasionally, Oysters will catch sight of someone else mingling with the members of the Order. His dark suit is sleek, plain, and the figure he cuts might not have been distinct from the rest if it weren't for his height. And if it weren't for the ceremic rabbit head on his shoulders.

Oysters who seek him out will find that he is no longer present among the group of Order members by the time they arrive.

"You saw Mad March?" one of the Order will say if asked, sounding startled that he was seen. "You best pretend you didn't."

The nights in the forest are even colder. Oysters better hope they can start a campfire, put up their tents against the chill, or stay close to each other for warmth, as the Order will offer no help. They are here only for guidance — and protection.

On the third day in the forest, the group will arrive at the ruins of an old kingdom. Old cottages and shops are only faint outlines, everything but the stone long since rotted away and overgrown with foliage. The remains of a castle isn't in any better condition. Oysters who choose to explore may notice that all shown signs of a battle from long ago. They may even find the skeleton of the king himself, still sitting on his throne. The members of the Order now seem to be alive with activity, splitting off into groups and venturing out while others stay with the Oysters.

Remember the buddy system, the Order tells them. They will stay here for a few nights. This is the last place that is safe to tread, but danger lurks on the outskirts.

THE RETURN
07/18 - 07/19

It starts on the night of the 18th. The woods have been quiet for the most part, with nothing other than the sound of nearby streams and the noises of various animals. That night, even those are gone. An unnatural stillness takes over the area. Those who venture out to find the cause may find nothing — or they may be one of the first to discover that what lurks beyond the old kingdom has ventured closer.

Throughout the night of the 18th and into the day of the 19th, Oysters are at risk of encountering one of three types of creatures.

It may come as the sound of many legged-footsteps, first off in the distance and then close enough that the creature should be within sight. There are only trees, as far as the eye can see. And then motion. Briefly, it seems as though the very trees themselves are coming alive, but it will soon become apparent that these are legs. The creature stands on four limbs as tall as the trees, and when it holds still it camouflages easily among them. The roots it buries into the ground are long talons when unearthed, each tipped in a hooking claw. Its long neck is lined with the same armored scales that make its legs look like trees, and its small head is dwarfed by its extremely long snout, filled with rows of sharp teeth.

This is the Bandersnatch.

Or maybe it comes first as a shrill scream, like nails against slate. The shriek will seem to echo, instilling an unnatural sense of fear in any of those who are unlucky enough to hear it. Before long, the scream will be accompanied by the heavy flap of huge wings. The creature's approach seems to be imminent, and yet, it doesn't come. The moment draws on — and on — and on — and on — is there anything there, or is it only your imagination? Are you afraid of your own shadow, are you hearing screams in the wind and wings in the rustling of the trees?

Until it swoops down and tries to pick you up in its claws. It is a massive bird of prey, resembling a vulture, if a vulture had a twenty five foot wingspan and eerily human eyes. You've found the JubJub bird.

Then there is the reptilian Jabberwock.

There is no subtlety in its approach. The ground shakes with every step, announcing its arrival well in advance. It is bipedal and seems almost ungainly as it stalks through the trees, lurching its scaly body around and whipping its long tail for balance. Whenever this causes it to connect with a tree, the force behind it leaves the tree broken and bent. Its arms end in three fingered talons, and the round head at the end of its sinuous neck is almost entirely mouth. There is the lick of flame in its eyes, and the drool that escapes from its powerful jaws is hot enough to burn.

The members of the Order who had always seemed to be so close are conspicuously absent. It looks like the Oysters are on their own to defend themselves against these creatures.

The Jabberwocky, JubJub bird, and Bandersnatch will not be easily defeated, and few who fight will escape injury! There may be more than one of each creature type, so different groups can encounter the same type of creature if you choose. You can choose to have your characters ultimately triumph and take down the creatures, or fall to the creature. The members of the Order will arrive at the end of the fight. They will take out any creatures that remain, for those who choose not to have their characters successfully kill one, and will begin clean up of the others.

For those who are interested in having their characters seriously injured or even killed, for ease of reference here is the information regarding death and injury from the FAQ:

With the Carpenter's skills, no death or maiming in Wonderland is permanent — though the consequences of it might be. When your character dies, send the mods a PM describing any injuries the character sustained in their demise. For lacerations such as being stabbed or sliced with a sword, etc, characters will be returned to full health in a few days with gold filling in their wound in the style of Japanese kintsukuroi. This repair is permanent and will be a part of your character for the duration of their stay in Happy Hearts, even if you drop and reapp. If your character is killed or maimed through decapitation or the loss of a limb, your character will be in recovery for three days, and will return to the hotel with a ceramic replacement — an animal head for decapitation, and a non-articulated limb for lost appendages. This repair is not permanent unless you wish it to be, and Carpenter will have a flesh replacement ready for your character after another week.

Characters who have medical skills, abilities, or supplies may work to tend the wounds of others in the brief aftermath of the fight. Members of the Order will assure them that they will return to the hotel in the morning to get the medical attention that they need. And indeed, those characters who are still conscious after the fight will find themselves falling asleep at some point. Characters may dream about the same padded box from their first arrival. When they wake, they will be back in the hotel.

If you have any questions, please leave them here!

PREMISE RULES FAQ TAKEN RESERVES APPLICATION MOD CONTACT HIATUS & DROPS WORLD INFO NPCS CALENDAR AC REWARDS PLAYER CONTACT

Threaded | Flat

The Queen's Garden

Wei Wuxian is practically bouncing with the fact that they are outside. Excited to see and explore everything. He has been roaming around every part of the gardens and enjoying looking at all the new sights. He almost wished he brought paper and could map out the area much like he has done with the inside of the hotel. But instead he has been smelling each of the flowers, admiring the fountains and generally running into and talking with everyone he can find. He even goes and investigates the weird came that is set up.

And as they get led through the maze and get shown the feast he runs towards the food with great excitement. They even get to eat outside! He already has a mouthful of food when he gets informed that it is their last meal and so he might be alternating between eating and putting things that will keep in a bag for carrying with him.

Forest

Wei Wuxian's mood grows dark as he moves along with the Order of the Clubs. These are the guys that got him injured and tossed him in that room with the rabbit, so his trust for them is zero. He watches them very quietly as they move along, wanting nothing more then to hit them. But he doesn't want to lose this opportunity to be outside so he behaves...for now.

When he spots the rabbit, he can't help himself. He runs towards him only to find him gone again. He immediately yells at a member of the Order to bring him back but they only seem confused. "Mad March..." A name at least. Something to call him more then creepy ass rabbit guy.. He falls back in with the rest of the group but now he is even more on edge.

And once they reach the camp area he starts to help with setting the camp, but is very eager to wander off and search the area. He knows he has at least a couple abilities at his disposal that could help him and he made sure to bring all those special teas just in case.

"How about we go take a look around?"

Lan-Jiang Campsite

Of course all the family and extended family have decided to make camp together. Even when attached to non-family members, it is easier just to welcome them into camp as well. Everyone is welcome to sit around a campfire with the odd crew that they have.

The tents have been pitched, the campfire has been made and Wei Wuxian has been playing with his abilities and so during one night, a rowdy group of ghost solders has joined them to share war stories and tales of their adventures. And he is very happy to join them and listen and share his own.

He even has a jar of Emporer's Smile that he was given and has brought to enjoy while outside. Because what better way to spend the evening then drinking and spending it with family?

And during the day he bounces around from person to person to explore and enjoy the fact that they are together outside and no longer chained inside the walls of the hotel.

He might even learn to fly since he has that fun shapeshifter power again...What better place to learn then outside with the wide (albeit overcast) sky?

Creatures

That night was quiet..at least until all hell seemed to break lose. Screams and creatures coming at them from all sides. He runs out of his tent and tries to figure out what the best way to go is. Which creature to try and protect his loved ones from. He has a plan..rudimentary at best..but a plan nonetheless. He already summoned them once and now he really does need the help of his story telling ghost army.

But first he needs to figure out where to direct them. Looking around quickly, he tries to find anyone ready to battle. "We all need to work together!"

Hedge Maze

[ Alright, somehow, despite only having needed to follow everyone else, Aziraphale is straggling behind and manages to get just a little bit lost in the hedge maze. ]

Ah, hello? Everyone?

[ He keeps walking, slightly panicked, but he steps on a twig. ]

Ouch!

Camping (aka a cry for help)

[ All the pieces of the tent have been taken out and laid out before him, and his work really is cut out for poor Aziraphale, who doesn't even want to venture into the woods for fear of cutting his feet. Apparently forgetting that he has the entire bulk of Hellish miracles available at his fingertips for the moment, he stares down the tentpoles as if they might erect themselves.

Needless to say, it doesn't work. He peers around himself helplessly, looking for an extra pair of hands. Or honestly, just a set that knows what it's doing. ]

Ready, Set, Flute? (fighting)

[ Somehow in the middle of your character fighting one of the creatures, or perhaps with a creature (your choice) close-by, the tension is cut through with the sound of a flute melody. The flute itself should look familiar to those who know it, since it was borrowed from a friend. A broken piece of an old piece of iron was leant by the same friend bearing a different face, and now there is an angel marching onto the battlefield playing... a 14th-century saltarello??

There is a gentle rumbling from behind him and he pauses his fluting to look. Soon, your party is joined by a group of lumbering skeletons in armor, roused from their rest in the kingdom ruins. And instead of attacking, they seem to be. Helping your party. ]

wildcard

[ OoC: hmu assemble for a personal starter! ]

Campground Foraging

[ Guess who took time to pore through every single one of the books and pamphlets available at the library, and is now rather well-acquainted with the plant life of Wonderland? Lan Wangji, unsure of how long they are to remain outside of the hotel, has immediately:
Gotten himself two pieces of stone to make a mill
made himself a crude spear to fish with
made himself a rudimentary bow with a set of arrows for the same.
In fact, when he isn't foraging for food, hunting, or making more tools, you can find him collecting ash from a fire, sap from trees, and hand-pressed oil to make soaps (for when they run out) and incense sticks which are curing somewhere nearby.

As he had to borrow some tools in order to make these, he courteously offers up food to anyone who asks. ]

Stargazing open/closed

[ Part I, open to all: After a long day of setting up camp, Lan Wangji can be found sitting at the edge of the Lan-Jiang camp compound on a log, simply meditating. Maybe gently strumming his guqin. Alternatively, he can be found, not straying too far off, taking a walk.

If your character approaches, he might look towards the stars, and ask: ]

Do you wonder why, in the hotel, it was perpetually twilight?

[ Or, Part II, closed to either Wei Wuxian: ]

Sit.

[ He looks up, and then from the inside of his robe, he procures a small glass jar which he's pilfered from the dining to contain exactly half a bottle of Emperor's Smile. Without comment, he offers the unlabeled jar to Wei Ying. ]

Someone Save Hanguang-Jun

[ Lan Wangji has found himself in the middle of fighting some creature (probably a bandersnatch but your choice honestly) and as he's without a weapon that he hadn't crudely made himself, teas, or any of his usual powers, he's at a major disadvantage.

He's holding strong, with a lifetime of martial arts training and a good amount of endurance, but this certainly isn't the most ideal situation. ]

wildcard

[ OoC: hmu assemble for a personal starter! ]

Edited 2020-07-12 19:55 (UTC)

The Queen's Garden

At least he was accustomed to traveling light. Though really, a qiankun pouch would have gone a long way. Carrying everything they'd need around with them in bags seemed so bulky and restrictive. Still, it felt good to be outside, after living under those artificial lights for so long. Just the scent of fresh greenery alone rather than the stale recirculated air of the hotel was welcome.

There's no harm in enjoying himself, whether it's picking at the local fruit trees, grabbing snacks to line his pockets, or wading into the the many pools and fountains, trousers rolled up to his knees, intent on snatching a fresh fish. No need for a pole, if he was quick enough to grab one as it passed!

The croquet game doesn't interest him all that much, but with his lack of a spiritual tool, weapons, or even his talismans, the mallets used in game seem like they might be useful. And surely the staff won't notice if one goes missing, right?

The Tulgey Wood and Ruins

What had started as a fun outing was now laced in suspicion and concern. Those uniformed guards were back. He made no motion to attack or harass them like before, but he also didn't like letting them too far from his sight(and clearly they felt the same). The number of friendly staff seems to have diminished, leaving them with only the Queen's enforcers as they embark on the thickly forested areas ahead. It's hard to see much, but maybe if he climbs to the top of one of these trees?

He's only just started to climb when a squirrel starts chittering at him for disturbing its home. To those watching it certainly looks like a fully grown man trying to explain himself to a rodent.

Wildcard - Feel free to run into WWX anywhere along the line!

I. The King's Tale
After Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji explored the castle and returned to the camp that very night, they didn't come alone. Somehow, the spirits they found in the castle and in the forest tagged along with them. After they rested and they gathered around the campfire to eat dinner, Lan Wangji decides to tell the tale as the teas gave him a lift of power to his voice, and with the power calms everyone who gathers around to listen.

As he speaks, his voice is clear. "We explored the castle and this is what we found. The spirits, they called themselves the White Knights. Inside the castle, there was a spirit who sits on a throne. We ask him with Inquiry, He calls himself the White King. The ruins we explored was his Kingdom once."

II. Wildcard
[Anything else? hmu for plotting here! All I ask is no death or injury for any scenario]

CAMPING

[ The Queen's message a couple of weeks ago about her companion joining in on the fun hasn't escaped him - especially not when he'd started seeing Mad March among the others that'd come with them. Pretend you don't see him, right. At least he has a name now, he guesses.

But it's not going to do any good to keep looking out for the guy to the point of being distracted from everything else, so he settles for being wary as shit and making sure he doesn't go off anywhere alone.

That'd seemed to irritate Mad March last time, might as well do it again.

It's pretty easy, anyway, considering even after he and his assigned buddy are able to get some physical distance between them, he can still feel his emotions, can still tell he's close by.

They've all stopped for the day, now, and he's just coming back from a nearby stream dripping wet and carrying about a dozen fish.

He sets up next to the campfire to dry off a little as he starts cleaning up the fish in preparation for cooking them, and shoots a grin at anyone who happens to be nearby. ]

Man, what I wouldn't give for some marshmallows right about now.

WILDCARD

[ Or hit me up with a prompt of your own! I'm up for pretty much anything. ]

Buddy system >> Closed to Mikumo
[A 'buddy system wasn't a bad idea, but it was an annoying one that felt like they were being treated like children, so Jet chaffed against it.

They brought the girl over when they told them they were to be matched up, but Jet did little more than nod to her after the staff member left, before returning to his packing. It wasn't her fault for his bad attitude and he needed to try and stamp it out before talking to her.

Consequently, it wasn't until they started to leave, walking side-by-side that Jet finally broke his silence.]

My name's Jet, by the way. [Had the staff member said that? Had she said the girl's name too? He'd barely paid attention beyond his irritation. Well, either way, he didn't know it, better to suck up his pride and ask.]

Queen's Gardens (night)
[The tent set up isn't too hard for Jet, he's done with the speed and efficiency of the soldier he was, and even went around helping others, if they needed it. Once the fire was going and the sun had set, however, Jet settled in near the pit and pulled out the new harmonica he'd been able to get just before they'd left.

He'd left his old one back in his place in New York, but once the staff had started mentioning a camping trip, nostalgia had planted the idea in his head. It reminded him of better times when he'd had his family around him.

A quiet, confident, melody played out as Jet's lips moved with practiced ease on the instrument.]

Ruins
[The further into the woods they got, the more Jet was on edge. Absolutely everything in his past was telling him this wasn't leading anywhere good. Between the 'guards,' the guy with the weird rabbit head Jet could never catch a beat on, and the general atmosphere of the place, nothing seemed right.

When they broke the cover of the woods and into the ruins of a village, he could feel his jaw tighten. This was exactly the kind of place where things went wrong. Still, their guards were clearly a little distracted as they went about searching the ruins, it seemed like a perfect time to do the same. Maybe they could find something first.

Jet started to look around for a good place to dart off and start his own search when he remembered their dumb 'buddy system.' In this case, it might be better to take someone else with him. He looked around instead for another person in their group, whether he knew them yet or not, and waved to catch their eye.]

Hey. Bored yet? Maybe we should take a walk...see what's around?

i. queen's garden
Shepard wasn't quite enough of a fool to enjoy the garden party without reservation; nothing about this place has been straightforward, so far. But still, there was no point in wasting the good times while they were here.

At least the food was fantastic. She'd always been a fan of eating, and had had a few memorable meals, but never anything like this. The variety was tremendous: smooth savory jelly made with port wine, thin slices of fish seared along one side so that it was cold and hot all at once, brightly-colored pickled crayfish, caviar in creme with crackers, a dish of tiny peppers flecked with spice which were perfect match for the tiny deep-fried cubes of tofu. There were whole quail, glazed with honey and red wine and cardamom, a huge bowl of fresh noodles dressed simply with butter, a mountain of roasted vegetables, a fancifully-carven tureen of glorious beef with red juices pooling around it and a crackling crust of pepper on the outside— and it was best not to mention the sweet course.

"Hey, pull up a seat," she greets, no qualms about breaking bread with a stranger, "Pass me that, will you?"

Shepard can be seen methodically working her way through the lot, one plate at a time. Is she enjoying it? Hard to say. Certainly she seems to have come from the school of thought that one does not leave leftovers on a host's table, if one can possibly avoid doing so; come closer, stranger, and know her better!

ii. tulgey wood
If there was one thing Shepard knew about fieldcraft, it was that if you did it barefoot, you would die of gangrene. So, in flagrant disregard of common standards of Oyster conduct, whatever those were, Shepard has fashioned herself some makeshift shoes from grasses and green summer-growth twigs. She's had a biting fly infestation before, and isn't eager for a repeat.

The first night, when most make camp in groups huddled around fires, Shepard actually climbs a tree, wedges herself into a convenient bend of branches, and settles in. She's not comfortable on the ground, exposed without anyone she knows well, or trusts, and it isn't yet cold enough to worry about. Anyone looking for her will likely find her more by the presence of her guards than by the sight of Shepard herself; one advantage of this scheme being that people rarely remember to look up.

iii. ruins
Shepard walks among the ruins slowly. More than simply moving without speed, she's moving through them slowly; she begins on one side, and walks along every wall, pausing at each door, following every crumbled passage and half-reclaimed chamber to its totality. One who didn't know any better might think she was looking for something, or searching for survivors; but she doesn't touch anything, just looks carefully, missing noplace, then moves on.

As night falls, she sets up a campfire actually within the ruins, sheltered on two sides by a crumbling wall, and with torn-down branches and bracken as a makeshift roof. The smell of roasting mushrooms and sweet potato is the easiest way to find her; she knows how to forage, how to survive. Sit down, and she might offer you some. Stay long enough, and she'll speak.

"Some shit, huh? You got much like this, back home?"

iv. wild card
[hit me with your best shot!]

Edited 2020-07-14 04:35 (UTC)

QUEEN'S GARDENS

[ Though his outward expression is mostly neutral, with perhaps a small softening around his eyes and a slightly smile, there is something about him that's practically beaming at being outdoors. He walks along the paths, taking in all of the plant life that is familiar to him and those that aren't.

He's holding quite a few pamphlets on Wonderland wildlife, and every so often he stops to compare what he's looking at to the information in his hand.

He can also be found sitting on a rock at the edge of where a stream flows into one of the koi ponds, eyes closed and hands resting on his knees in what's clearly a meditative pose. When he hears someone approach, however, his eyes open. ]

Will you join me?

THE RUINS

[ Lan Xichen is, of course, immediately drawn to the ruins when they finally arrive there. It is the manner of place that he would expect to have its share of lingering spirits - perhaps resentful, perhaps not - but he cannot sense anything, let alone attempt to communicate with them.

It is the first time on the trip that he allows the slightest bit of melancholy to take over his features. Being cut off from his golden core feels like being without his sense of sight, or hearing, or even missing a limb. Just for a moment, as he trails fingertips over the crumbling stone, he allows himself to long for it.

Then he hears the sound of someone else coming and composes himself, turning to face them with an mild curiosity. ]

Have you found anything of interest?

CAMPING/WILDCARD

[ I also have a few prompts for camping shenanigans up over here if you'd like, or if none of those strike your fancy, feel free to come at me with something else! ]

the queen's garden

[he had no interest in playing. bingyun had only stopped to observe the croquet because he heard something about it being the royalty's favorite here. somehow he gets pulled into a game anyway, and barely understanding the rules, sends one of the balls flying, rolling out of sight under the hedges.

so at one point, you might catch him with his better half sticking out, trying to retrieve it so that the staff will stop chattering at him and let him go.

later, he feels like oxen being led through the maze. and like an ox, he expects only work or slaughter to be waiting for them. there's a feast instead and - honestly, it doesn't make him feel much better.

yan bingyun sits at the table, posture perfect as he stares straight ahead. but he eventually starts looking down at the main dishes, as if he's actually entertaining eating something.]

camping.

[you didn't see him. that's what he was told, but of course yan bingyun knows that he did. you wouldn't even have to be observant, a tall man with a rabbit's head is hard to miss.

he's walking slow circles around his campfire, occasionally rubbing some warmth into his arms before spotting something at the base of a tree. soon after, he approaches another of his follow campers, placing a few mushrooms down in front of them.]

They're not poisonous.

[he doesn't expect anyone to just believe him, so he purposely eats one first.]

death from above. (jubjub bird)

You heard it too.

[it's not a question. yan bingyun doesn't know how anyone could not have heard such a shriek. he keeps scanning the sky overhead, body tensed as he waits for whatever made it to show itself.

long minutes pass before he exhales and looks to his companion instead. hopefully the creature doesn't take that as its moment to strike. (but it probably will.)]

[a: queen's garden]

[Mikumo's experiences with food in her own world have always been limited by the incredibly strict diet she was set by her handlers until very recently. So while the feast is a little overwhelming, honestly, after taking it all in she starts to put very small amounts of a great deal of dishes onto her plate as if trying to taste test as much as she can.

A lot of the things she's taking readily are more visually appealing dishes, because of that limited experience. If she spots anything that appears unappetizing to a passing glance, whether something actually dubious-looking like blue cheese or just something that looks clammy and strangely textured like custard, she'll wrinkle her nose a bit before questioning whoever happens to be sitting near her.]

Have you tried that one yet? [She's had weird-looking food that turned out to taste good before, but she likes to be certain, considering she doesn't even like eating good food in front of other people all that much.]

[b: ruins]

[By the time they get out to the ruins, Mikumo has been able to put a bit more of her own skills to work, helping set up tents and build a campfire with all the precision of someone who's had to do this in probably worse circumstances before. Once that's done, she goes between actually being in the vicinity of the campfire to wandering off into the ruins, looking for the signs of death and battle. It's something she's familiar enough with to identify that this place has been a victim of easily, and if anyone else is picking through the castle, they may find her eying the body on the throne with an unreadable look on her face.]

I wonder who started this one. [Her tone is dry and direct, little emotion in it, as if the lack of conflict would have been more surprising than to find evidence of an old war. She glances up to whoever else has come searching.] A little old to be that Queen's king, do you think?

[Maybe a relative further back.]

[c: wildcard]

[[To plot anything else (including something for the monster fights, because I'm definitely interested in getting Mikumo into one of those), hit me up at

reviseleviathan, by PM or on the plot post to sort something out! I'm open to having her join more than one person for that.]]

Ruins

Sure enough, the forest began to clear away, revealing the ruins of some old kingdom. It's unfortunately reminiscent of towns that the Wens had ransacked and destroyed, but at least there's still the shell of the main structure; stones stacked on stones here and there all that remain, the rest so overgrown it seems to blend in with the nature around it.

He doesn't let himself get too far ahead of Lan Zhan, but his excitement is palpable as he waves for the other to follow him. If they can track down this White King, maybe it'll yield more answers? He hopes so, at least.

"Around here somewhere," he nods with certainty, gesturing toward the castle's remains.

Threaded | Flat

AND STOOD AWHILE IN THOUGHT

BUDDY SYSTEM 07/11 - 07/12

THE QUEEN'S GARDEN 07/13 - 07/14

THE TULGEY WOOD AND RUINS 07/14 - 07/18

THE RETURN 07/18 - 07/19

Wei Wuxian | OTA

BUDDY SYSTEM
07/11 - 07/12

THE QUEEN'S GARDEN
07/13 - 07/14

THE TULGEY WOOD AND RUINS
07/14 - 07/18

THE RETURN
07/18 - 07/19